Is it time to move to new software for your nonprofit? There are lots of reasons that it makes sense to change technology. For example, you might need tools that help your organization work more efficiently. You might be planning more sophisticated fundraising and marketing campaigns and need more advanced tech to support them. Maybe your current technology hasn’t kept pace with the way your organization has grown and evolved. Or maybe you’re ready to use technological advances in areas like process automation and data analytics.
No matter why you’re ready to change software, it’s important to make the right technology choices for your nonprofit. Here are some practical ideas to help you get going.
Top tips for making smarter nonprofit tech choices
Act now
If you have a hunch that it’s time for new software for your nonprofit – whether it’s a new constituent relationship management (CRM) system, new online fundraising software, or other new technology – then the tech change is probably already past due. The challenges you’re facing with your current software will only remain or continue to worsen, which can negatively impact everything from staff productivity and constituent engagement to fundraising results.
Find the right fit
Changing software takes time and effort, so it’s critical that you choose the right solution for your organization’s needs. Start by clearly defining goals for your new software. Then, talk with vendors. Ask detailed questions about their software and their product roadmap. Schedule deep-dive demos in which you ask the vendors to show you specific features and functionality that align with your goals. These approaches will help you to see the strongest and weakest areas of the software and where the vendor is (or isn’t) investing time and money in the product.
Get more tips to help you find the right nonprofit technology. Read the guide, The Ultimate Checklist for Selecting Software for Your Nonprofit
Look ahead
Be sure to select software that can grow with your organization. This can help you to avoid costly and disruptive challenges down the line. Choose technology that’s flexible enough to support your organization’s goals and needs for the next three to five years. This should include projected future changes in the number of users, data volume, and integration with other software and apps. Also, make sure your staff has the ongoing training and documentation they need to perform their roles efficiently in the software.
Consider your full technology stack
Make choices about individual software solutions within the context of your entire technology ecosystem. This approach helps to mitigate any challenges that may come with changes in the technology marketplace down the road, which you can almost certainly expect. It can be extremely useful to work with a nonprofit technology consultant as you do this. This type of firm can help you to plan out your entire technology stack (not just choose one software solution), confirm that each product you choose is a good match for your needs, and identify and reduce the impact of potential challenges.
When you’ve outgrown your existing software, making a technology change can help your nonprofit move forward more efficiently and effectively. Using the tips in this article, you’ll be well on your way to making smarter technology choices that will support your nonprofit for years to come.
By Mark Becker, Founding Partner, Cathexis Partners
Mark founded Cathexis Partners in 2008, providing technical and consultative services to nonprofits of all sizes and types. He previously served as director of IT consulting at a fundraising event production company focused on nonprofits. For more than 20 years, Mark has supported hundreds of nonprofit online fundraising efforts.
